Improvement in car-couplings



M. c. DDUBALEDAY.

I Car-Couplings. No. 136,222.. ParentedFb.25,1873.

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MELVIN U. DOUBLEDAY, OF SHARON, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,222, dated February 25, 1873.

To all whom it muy concern:

Beit known that I, MELvIN @.DoUBLEDAY, of Sharon, in the county of Windsor and State ct' Vermont, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oar-Coupling, of which the following is a specification:

The invention consists in the improvement of car-couplings, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure lrepresents sectional plan view, the section being taken on the line w :c of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the coupling. Fig. 3 is an end view of the draw-head, showing the opening or slot therein, and an end view of the coupling-bars or link. Fig. 4 is an end view ofthe reversible box which contains the couplingbars. Y

Similar letters'ot' reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A represents thedra-w-head. B is thebumper-platc. The draw-head consists of two plates, an upper plate, C, and a lower plate, D, connected at the outer end by the bumper-plate B, from which plate they extend back and are fastened Vso as to remain parallel with each other. E is the coupling-link, consisting of the two bars F F conned in the reversible box H. This box ts between the plates of the draw-head, and is attached thereto b v a central pin, I, upon which the box turns. The bars FF (forming the coupling-link) are placed in the box, as seen in Fig. 1, with their coupling-ends projectingi'rom the boX and through the bumperplate ofthe draw-head. To allow the box H to be reversed, or turned end for end, with the bars F F thus arranged, the bumper-plate is slotted, or an opening, J, is made therein. K K arc spring-s confined in the box, which serve to force the coupling bars F F together.

In Fig. l twocouplings are seen united, as when two cars are coupled together. In one coupling the bars project and form the coup! ling-link in the other the box is reversed, the coupling-bars being turned inward, while the other end of the box receives the link and coupling-pin L. When the two couplings come together, as seen in Fig. 1, the ends of the bars F F en ter the spring-j aw M as they snap around the couplingpin. This jaw M prevents 'the ends of the bars from spreading, and makes the coupling secure. The jaw slides on the rod N, upon which is a spiral spring, O.

The coupling ends ot' the barsFF arehalved by rabbeting each, as more plainly seen in Fig. 3; butI do not confine myselfI to this par` ticular construction.

The advantage of making the coupling-box H reversible is, that any two cars provided with my coupling may be coupled together. For uncoupling the cars, the pin L is withdrawn, while they couple automatically as they come together.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent- 1. The spring pressed coupling-bars F F and box H made reversible through the slots J ,as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with spring pressed bars F F, of the sliding spring-held jaw M and pin L, arranged as and for the purpose set 

